Q: My mother has a friendship with a woman (just a normal friendship). So, sometimes, when I meet her, my mother expects me to shake hands, hug and kiss her, or at least one of the mentioned. I have actually been doing this for last several years. I also need to mention that she is not a mahram to me. In addition, she does not observe hijab in front of non-mahram males. Alhamdulillaah, since last year, I actively started learning my religion. I will be 20 years old next month (September), by miladi calendar. I need to mention that the friend of my mother is more than 35 years. Most likely, she is between 35 and 40. I heard or read somewhere that shaking hands with old women is permissible if there is no fear of fitnah. I can verify that I have no fear of desire or anything attracting when I meet her since she is and looks quite old and has a husband. Also, the same with hugging and kissing if I am not wrong. However, these are things I heard or probably read from an untrustworthy source.
A: Whether it is a young woman or old woman, refrain from shaking her hands etc.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)